A rehabilitation project to remove pest plants and animals, improve the amenity and biodiversity value of the area, and to link the Merbein township to the Merbein Common

Purpose of the project is to rehabilitate the stormwater outfall, reduce erosion, control pest plants and rabbits, remove rubbish and revegetate to improve the biodiversity assets of the area and to promote community involvement and collaboration.
 
Activities to be undertaken include earthworks to extend existing channel by 220 metres to divert stormwater to an existing drainage pond.  Coir logs  will be placed at intervals along the channel to slow water flow and prevent erosion.  Control of 1.2 ha of pest plants including boxthorn, bridal creeper, thistles and spiny rush will be undertaken by a pest plant contractor. 
·         Rabbit control – rodexing and appropriate follow uppping of warrens 1.2ha.
·         Rubbish removal – removing rubbish that has flowed onto Merbein Common through the stormwater outfall 2.5 tonnes rubbish
·         Revegetation more than 1500 indigenous native trees
 
Method – Earthworks to divert the water from the current outfall area will reduce the water supply which is irrigating weeds at present.   Pest plants have a significant impact on biodiversity and their treatment will reduce competition with tubestock.  Warren ripping is part on an integrated control system including baiting, shooting and rodexing.  Once rubbish is removed the Gross Pollutant Trap that has been recently installed at Foster Street will trap most rubbish before reaching the outfall.  Installation of drip line to assist irrigation at revegetation sites planted with tubestock has been shown to improve the success rate of plantings in the Mallee.
 
Three photo points will be established to monitor the rehabilitation of the stormwater outfall.  Monitoring of revegetation area and success rates will be conducted to Mallee CMA standards.  The number of community groups and individuals involved in the rehabilitation works to be recorded to gauge community involvement.
 
This project will have a positive impact on local biodiversity and especially bird and reptile species.  The improvement of habitat through the activities outlined above will reduce competition by weeds and rabbits, thereby allowing greater success with both regeneration and revegetation.  Adjoining landholders will see the improvement in condition of land and have reduced pest plant and animal issues.
 
Project partners have included the Friends of Merbein Common, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Merbein Development Association.  Received funding through Citipower/ Powercor, Landcare Australia Limited, Mallee Catchment Management Authority, Australian Government Envirofund.